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University President

Full time Part time / Adjunct President and Chancellor

Job Description

 

Position Information

 

Position Title University President
Job Description
Missouri Western State University’s Board of Governors seeks an adaptable, mission-driven servant leader to guide the institution. The ideal candidate must possess a strong commitment to public higher education and the strategic vision necessary to navigate and succeed in today’s complex academic landscape. A complete presidential leadership profile and additional information about Missouri Western State University may be found at www.missouriwestern.edu/presidential-search. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. For full consideration, application materials should be received timely to coincide with a desired start date of September 1, 2026.

JOB SUMMARY

The University President serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of Missouri Western State University, an open-access regional public four-year institution. Reporting directly to the Board of Governors, the President provides leadership on all matters concerning the University and serves as an advisor to the Board on issues of policy and administration. The President is responsible for shaping the University’s vision, setting its strategic direction, and advancing the institution’s mission and long-term success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
  • Planning, coordinating, administering, and supervising the affairs and activities of the University in a manner that best serves the institution and is consistent with Board policies, rules, directives, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  • Performing reasonable duties, tasks, and activities as required by the Board that fall within the President’s responsibilities and relate to the administration of the University.
  • Serving as the principal executive officer of the University and overseeing all administrative and fiscal matters of the institution.
  • Exercising appropriate oversight of and supervising the President’s senior leadership team, including all vice presidents and director of athletics. The President may delegate responsibilities to members of the senior leadership team, provided such delegation is consistent with University policies and applicable laws.
  • Setting performance expectations for the senior leadership team, overseeing the performance of delegated functions, and conducting regular written evaluations of senior leadership team members.
  • Engaging with the University’s shared governance organizations and meaningfully participating in the shared governance process.
  • Reporting to the Board on all significant matters within the President’s knowledge related to the University.
  • Serving as the chief spokesperson for the University and representing the University and the higher education community locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally.
  • Creating a leadership culture grounded in ethics, accountability, transparency, innovation, and integrity.
  • Setting the strategic direction for the University utilizing the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan in collaboration with the Board and the President’s senior leadership team .
  • Advancing the University’s mission and designation as an open-enrollment institution and Missouri’s statewide institution of applied learning.
  • Identifying and fostering collaborative partnerships between the University and public and private sector entities.
  • Leading efforts to innovate and expand educational opportunities while positioning the University to succeed in a rapidly changing higher education environment.
  • Engaging with elected officials and policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels in a nonpartisan manner to advance the interests of the University.
  • Leading fundraising and advancement efforts for the benefit of the University, including major fundraising initiatives and cultivating relationships within the philanthropic community.
  • Continuing efforts to diversify revenue streams and responsibly steward University resources.
  • Performing other reasonable duties requested by the Board that are typically associated with the role of president at an institution of comparable size and mission.

 


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
  • Mission-driven servant leader with a deep commitment to public higher education.
  • Strong understanding of national trends and issues impacting higher education.
  • Appreciation for the unique leadership demands of a regional, open-access university.
  • Strategic, proactive, and student-centered leader.
  • Action-oriented creative thinker and innovator.
  • Data-informed and analytical leader who utilizes measurable metrics to assess achievement of goals and objectives.
  • Ability to build strong and meaningful relationships with internal and external constituencies at all levels.
  • Persuasive and effective communicator capable of articulating a compelling vision and telling the University’s story to diverse audiences across multiple platforms and settings, including social media, public appearances, and legislative sessions.
  • Proven fundraiser capable of partnering with others to cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy.
  • Administrator with sound business acumen and strong fiscal planning and management skills to advance strategic priorities and ensure operational effectiveness.
Required Qualifications
  • Ph.D. or other terminal degree preferred.
  • Strong academic background.
  • Substantial record of executive-level leadership and accomplishment.
  • Demonstrated success in strategic planning, leadership, external relations, fiscal management, and fundraising.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leading or serving in an open-access, regional public university.

 

 
Physical Demands
The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic means; to sit and work at a computer for extended periods; and to travel locally, regionally, and nationally as required. The incumbent must be able to attend meetings, conferences, public events, and campus functions, which may require standing and walking for extended periods. Occasional lifting and carrying of materials up to 20 pounds may be required.
FLSA Exempt
Additional Demands
This position requires the ability to travel frequently, attend and lead meetings and public events, engage with diverse internal and external constituencies, and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency.
Hours of Work
The University’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
Posting Detail Information

 

Posting Number S844P
Open Date 06/03/2026
Priority Deadline  
Open Until Filled Yes

Application Details (to apply use the Apply Now button below.)


To see additional information about our job opening(s) or to apply, click on the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of our job posting(s).

When inquiring or applying for jobs at Missouri Western State University, please also reference AcademicCareers.com

Applicants with dual-career considerations can find university jobs, such as professor jobs, dean jobs, and other faculty jobs and higher ed jobs with Missouri Western State University and with other colleges and universities in the region on AcademicCareers.com

To receive email alerts when new jobs at Missouri Western State University are posted, sign up for new job openings at Missouri Western State University.

 

 

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Missouri Western State University
About Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive, state-supported institution serving more than 5,000 students on a beautiful 744-acre campus about 45 minutes north of Kansas City. Missouri Western is an active partner in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves. A distinct focus on applied learning and applied research is a hallmark of the innovative teaching and learning environment.

 

At Missouri Western, Griffons Succeed!

Missouri Western State University has a proud tradition of providing a high quality, affordable education to students in the state of Missouri and beyond. We are a four-year, state-supported institution providing a variety of degree programs and offering professional master’s degrees, four-year baccalaureate degrees, two-year associate degrees, pre-professional transfer programs and one-year certificates. In addition, the University offers seminars, conferences and workshops suited to the needs of the community.

Students come from throughout the United States and more than 25 countries. And our alumni live and work around the world. From its humble beginnings in 1915, Missouri Western continues to deepen its impact on the community, region, nation and world.

 

Accreditation

Missouri Western is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. HLC accredits institutions of higher education in 19 states and has approximately 1,000 member institutions.

Accreditation supports our ongoing focus on institutional improvement, ensures that we remain accountable to our constituencies, and provides us with a broad framework for action as we work to achieve our mission.

Missouri Western’s accreditation was reaffirmed on January 24, 2017 and participates in the Open Pathway. We value the insights provided through the accreditation process and seek to use this information to strengthen our institution.

Missouri Western is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. When states join SARA, they agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions’ participation. They also agree to deal with other states’ SARA institutions in a common way when those institutions carry out activities in SARA states other than their own. For a list of schools holding NC-SARA membership, please click here.

Specialized accreditations include:

Missouri Western also has the All-Steinway School designation, the American Chemical Society curriculum approval, and the American Bar Association approval.


When inquiring or applying for positions at Missouri Western State University, please also reference AcademicCareers.com

Applicants with dual-career considerations can find university jobs such as professor jobs, dean jobs, chair / department head jobs, and other faculty jobs and professional and administrative staff employment opportunities at Missouri Western State University and at other institutions of higher education in the region on www.AcademicCareers.com

To receive email alerts when new jobs at Missouri Western State University are posted, please sign up at new job openings at Missouri Western State University .

 

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